On April
1st, "Anguish and Obsession, An American Love Story" featuring
the photography of Huss Hardan opens at huZ Galleries in San Pedro. The
artist reception (on Thursday, April 7th) will take place in conjunction with
the San Pedro First Thursday Art Walk. The powerful images captured by Hardan,
were inspired by America's obsession with firearms, the incidents in Ferguson
and the Black Lives Matter campaign.
image: Huss Hardan, Obsession #1, 12 x 18 matted to 20 x 28, printed on silver halide archival photographic paper, naked half framed with raw perforated steel bar and hung with steel chains; Limited edition 1/15
Hardan opened his San Pedro gallery, huZ Galleries, with his
partner Zee Almendarez in July of 2015 and participates in the monthly Art
Walk. The gallery exhibits a variety of other artists…featuring all mediums of
art. This is the first time that the gallery will feature an all photography
exhibition.
“Many things drew us to San Pedro,” explained Hardan. “The up
and coming Arts District which is filling the void of providing a
base for artists (and galleries!), who have been priced out of the
traditional Los Angeles neighborhoods where the arts once
flourished. San Pedro is the new frontier for Art in Los Angeles!”
Hardan talks about his inspiration: "Ferguson also
illustrated the militarization of the police forces in this country, where they
act not in a to protect and to serve role, but as an occupying power. The flip
side of this is the obsession with weaponry that much of the public has in
this country . There is almost a sexualization of violence that is portrayed in
the media and by the government in its recruiting process, both for whatever
the current mission is, and to supply that mission with manpower and public
support for those policies. The call to arms has been intentionally
misguided and deadly."
The series was shot on medium format film and digital. Its mature content of partial nudity and simulated violence may make those with milder dispositions uncomfortable. Parental guidance is recommended.
"Anguish and Obsession, An American Love Story" is part of the MOPLA (Month of Photography Los Angeles) initiative and will run from April 1st through April 30th at huZ Galleries located at 341 W 7th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. (310) 428-0275. Hours are 1pm to 7pm, Wed thru Sunday.
Enjoy a sneak peek of Huss Hardan’s powerful solo exhibition on April 1st and April 2nd. The opening reception for "Anguish and Obsession, An American Love Story" takes place on Thursday, April 7th from 6-10pm. The artist will be in attendance. For additional information about the artist, visit http://husshardan.com/ To find out more about huZ Galleries, see http://www.huzgalleries.com/
